In the last 20 years, productivity increases in the agricultural sector, or in the main production chains in Latin America, doubled the world growth rate.
We must have done something well,”
said Argentinian veterinarian Manuel Otero, the only candidate -so far- to the leadership of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), which has its headquarters in Costa Rica.
According to Otero, despite its 70 years of existence, IICA is currently a modern institution, but it has to be renewed and put to the test permanently.
Otero believes that increasing trade flows between blocks within the Latin American neighborhood can help sustain the region’s agriculture.
On climate change, he believes that it is a reality that must be dealt with by all sectors, but agriculture can play a particularly transforming role in this matter.
The veterinarian visited the country as part of the tour to announce his candidacy, eight months from the date of the election. He recently met with President Luis Guillermo Solís.
Currently, Mexican Victor M. Villalobos is the leader of IICA. This entity is a specialized agency in agriculture of the Inter-American System that supports the efforts of Member States to achieve agricultural development.